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iPod Stolen? Have it call home!

protect.gadgettheft.com — Cool new free service that tracks stolen USB gadgets like MP3 players, cameras and USB flash drives etc. When the device is stolen you log into the server, flag it as stolen and the next time the device is plugged into a computer it sends the owner of the device info about that system like IP address, location, username and computer name and more.

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  • rusty_g, on 10/12/2007, -5/+119now this is a cool idea..
    • KingLeo, on 10/12/2007, -31/+66No Mac support :(
    • mrwiggles123, on 10/12/2007, -23/+4If only Mitchell had this
    • S1ngular1ty1, on 10/12/2007, -6/+167I see some very large problems with this. Namely firewalls. My firewall will not let anything connect to the internet unless I approve it.
    • SSCrow, on 10/12/2007, -7/+87It could connect within iTunes.

      I'm sure most people allow iTunes to connect to the internet.
    • MediaMoguls, on 10/12/2007, -2/+93i wish i heard about this like two months ago
    • shreveyboy, on 10/12/2007, -10/+8will this still work even if the drive and everything is reformatted?
    • RadiatedAnt, on 10/12/2007, -2/+30fdisk %ipod% /y
    • 13thfloor, on 10/12/2007, -4/+42It only works with Windows.
      So if you find any usb devices, make sure you only use them with Linux or a Mac...
    • jtjdt, on 10/12/2007, -10/+51"I see some very large problems with this. Namely firewalls. My firewall will not let anything connect to the internet unless I approve it."

      Most theives (who would steal an iPod anyway) aren't smart enough to have a Firewall.
    • superpotential, on 10/12/2007, -18/+5argh... i'm going to start a company called pear and i'm going to start selling jpods.
      just you watch... *growl*
    • twistymcgee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17"I see some very large problems with this. Namely firewalls. My firewall will not let anything connect to the internet unless I approve it."

      Well it's still better than nothing. There's a better chance of finding it with this than nothing at least. If someone steals it and uses it on a network where there are firewall restrictions then you won't get the information you need but I bet most of the time this won't be the case.
    • washcapsfan37, on 10/12/2007, -17/+17"80% accuracy within 25 miles in the Unites States and Canada"

      This has to be the LAMEST scam I've read. You cannot get ANY useful information in apprehending the crook in most cases. The only time you could get anything worthwhile would be:

      1) His username or computer name is (stupidly) his real full name
      2) His computer plugs directly into his cable router (i.e., no NAT or internal network) and the police care enough to get a warrant to get the home address from his ISP

      You have better chances attaching a big bulky low-jack to your iPod...
    • dacheetah, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Also, many people I know turn off autoplay/autorun, and don't use iTunes, which means they would find the software before it called back to base, regardless of firewall status. (Not that I, nor any of them would steal an iPod.)
    • iNaya, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3I can see how this would work in most cases. Most people that steal physically are stupid people, because of the obviously high chance of getting caught and going to prison (when compared to downloading MP3's or movies etc.)

      Anyway because most thieves are stupid, they would be too dumb to have a proper firewall, let alone be using Linux. Not having a computer plugged directly into a cable modem doesn't produce a problem. The server being phoned would know the IP address itself.

      So it has a pretty good chance of working. Except in cases where gangs are involved with the stealing, because a lot of them do have some really smart people. But I would assume that most stealing is done by small-time unintelligent criminals, who just want an iPod, but can't afford it.
    • mrfreeziexp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8And even if they have a firewall, they probably don't know how to use it so they let anything by.
    • Kallstar, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1I want to set this ***** up so that it calls home AND THEN DELETES EVERYTHING!!! Muhahahahha. After that i might not even care about getting it back.
    • abbott75, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7"iPod phone home!"
    • firsttube, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@kingleo: Macs run windows too!
    • thelordofcheese, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1@washcapsfan37

      First, low jack doesn't work anymore. Second, IP ADDRESS & MAC ADDRESS! ***** idiot. You can trace it back to the ISP who will most likely have the info in account access logs.
    • joeydoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2This is very cool. Malware techniques used for good and not evil.
    • wwwdot1jesdotus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3"iPod Stolen? Have it call home!"
      Yeah, then you break the guys neck who stole it!
      http://www.digg.com/apple/Student_Breaks_Teacher_s_Neck_Over_iPod
    • kenwestin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The firewall issue has been addressed. The next version of the agent has the ability to detect firewalls and pass data through other methods.The new agent files will be launched with the Pro version next week.
  • sohyunw, on 10/12/2007, -5/+50Cool it works! I put it on three Flash drives including a U3 drive and it works great. I pity the fool who steals my drives now!
  • cielo23, on 10/12/2007, -4/+114How about some integration with Google Maps??? That would be awesome.
    • poolsclosed, on 10/12/2007, -2/+46http://www.ip-adress.com/
      it says it gives the ip address, so you should be able to use that website for a google maps look at the ip
    • alpinestarless, on 10/12/2007, -12/+0And some custom ass beating to that as addition to google maps, is ASS WOOPIN in google API ?
    • dioxide, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1locating by ip address can give you anything from the right city (if youre very lucky, or unlucky maybe?), to the wrong country. best you could do with that is attempt to get information from the isp, and that tends to be fruitless labor =/
    • twistymcgee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7"locating by ip address can give you anything from the right city (if youre very lucky, or unlucky maybe?), to the wrong country. best you could do with that is attempt to get information from the isp, and that tends to be fruitless labor =/"

      Again...it would be better than nothing. Keep in mind that this is a free service that is trying to provide tools to help you out. You can easily do nothing and have no clue at all where it might be.
    • kenwestin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Mapping is available in the Pro version. As well as general reporting of connections.
  • Rainbow101, on 10/12/2007, -6/+50ET - Phone Home.
  • dreamlayers, on 10/12/2007, -2/+25From their FAQ: http://protect.gadgettheft.com/faqs/
    Is it 100% guaranteed to work if my device is stolen?

    No. Certain variables need to be in place for the device to "phone home". Currently the agent will only work on Windows systems (Windows 98-XP). However given that Windows currently accounts for more than 85% of the market (Source: MarketShare), the odds are pretty good that the device will be plugged into a Windows system at some point. The agent does not automatically run when the device is plugged in, the thief either has to access the drive through "My Computer" or fall for a social engineering trick and click "OK" when prompted to "install USB drivers". During our tests however we found that most of the time the agent is activated through one of the two methods.
    • JavertHolmes, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10Tell me about it. I'd love to have a list of mass storage devices that autorun stuff in the root directory upon mounting so I know to avoid buying them like the plague.

      Hmm, looks like you updated your post. Accessing a drive via "my computer" also auto-runs things in the root directories for mass storage devices like mp3 players? That's terrible, if true.
    • CoBLeviathan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6http://protect.gadgettheft.com/works/

      Love the confused victim picture.
    • turpenine, on 10/12/2007, -1/+33note to self, only plug stolen usb devices into my mac.
    • Lyph4, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6"Tell me about it. I'd love to have a list of mass storage devices that autorun stuff in the root directory upon mounting so I know to avoid buying them like the plague."

      If you have an autorun file telling it to autorun a file, it does. That's how when you put a program CD/DVD into your computer it knows to run Setup.exe
    • computergod, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15So the person has to click on a program on the drive to get it to work? That has been done before with success, so no problem there.

      The hard part is getting the police to care enough that someone stole your iPod to make them get the address from the ISP then get a search warrant on the account holders house. It would be more fun if the program was set up to download/post/spam kiddy porn all over the web.
    • Otto, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7>>>"The agent does not automatically run when the device is plugged in"

      For the specific case of the iPod (and U3 capable USB devices), it is entirely possible to use autorun.inf files to make the program run when the device is plugged in. They need to re-examine how autorun works. This "Install USB driver" trick is unnecessary.

      Naturally, this assumes the computer is a) windows and b) has autorun enabled. Most are and do, though.

      For normal flash drives, their trick is necessary, of course.
    • mojo.ash, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4To cover it up set those autorun files to hidden
  • drewxhawaii, on 10/12/2007, -71/+3am i the only one wondering how legal this is?
    • VeryAngryJim, on 10/12/2007, -1/+69how legal it is to install something on a device you own?

      Probably less illegal than someone else stealing that particular device.
    • benitojuarez, on 10/12/2007, -1/+61yes, yes you are.
    • Lyph4, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17If someone stole your iPod.. and they ran a program you had installed.. pretty sure that's legal for you. If they hadn't stolen your device, they wouldn't have executed the program.
    • twistymcgee, on 10/12/2007, -9/+5Maybe the thief would have a case against you. I've heard of cases where a burglar broke into a home and hurt themselves on the way in winning a law suit. Go love the legal system (that was sarcasm).
    • appletalk, on 10/12/2007, -7/+6Am I the only one wondering if you're the single MOST STUPID user on digg? No, I'm sure I'm not.
    • kajer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2To play the "devil's advocate" here... A burglar breaks into some guys house through the kitchen window, gets cut on a knife left out, sues, and wins.



      However, asking that kind of question, you seem to be the kind of person that thinks muting or not watching TV commercials is illegal.
    • staplebox, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0What the hell is wrong with you? What happened to you as a child that makes you think that this could possibly be illegal? I'll bet you were one of the kids whose parents wouldn't even let them play with a TOY gun. When you went to your classmates birthday parties your parents stayed with you to make sure you were OK. Didn't they? Your someone who thinks the government is responsible for your well being. Uncle Sam should make sure you have a job, and a house, and a car, and a good doctor, and no one should ever bother you. How about your grow some balls and start thinking for yourself and take some God damned personal responsibility?
  • Darth, on 10/12/2007, -4/+10What prevents that stuff we install at the root of the device, from phoning home other stuff while we still have it plugged into our own system?
    • waynemr, on 10/12/2007, -8/+1lol, beat me by a few seconds.:)
    • mPingu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12From what I can tell, it first phones home with the device ID. If that matches a stolen device on their database (i.e you've reported it), they'll tell the client app to send more data from the PC.
  • moojj, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2That's a good idea!
  • waynemr, on 10/12/2007, -4/+32Someone should install this and let it sit for a week, with ethereal running - just to make sure it is only phoning home when the owner activates it.
    • JavertHolmes, on 10/12/2007, -3/+44Unless the software detects ethereal running and doesn't phone home during that period.

      *adjusts his tin foil hat*
    • turpenine, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9how could it only phone home when you activate it? it would have to always phone to them, to see if it is stolen, but just tell you when you activate it.
      the clear answer to have it not phone home is use linux/osx
    • karamba_kid, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3That will not be a problem if you have Wireshark (RIP ethereal) running on another machine.
  • Vaykant, on 10/12/2007, -12/+3@sohyunw

    it would suck if it contacted ur local police department, i would lock ur doors and turn off the porch light if i were you
  • Paperthin, on 10/12/2007, -43/+4Will this void the warranty on iPods by putting the file on it?
    • Lyph4, on 10/12/2007, -2/+39I hope to god you're joking.
    • Paperthin, on 10/12/2007, -26/+2I am pretty woozy on my meds right now...:P care to explain?
    • MasterChi, on 10/12/2007, -3/+32@Paperthin - You voided your warranty when you started putting music on your Ipod. It is just a fancy and expensive paperweight and to look cool, just walk around bobbing your head with the headphones plugged in like your listening to music. You better quickly erase all the music off your Ipod or else your warranty will be voided.
    • onemillion, on 10/12/2007, -14/+6will it blend?
    • titlesaysitall, on 10/12/2007, -13/+5Yes it does void your warranty. Apple does not allow your to put any other files besides Music, Video, and Photos. To make sure you are not caught go into iTunes and de-select "Enable Disk Use". This will make sure your warranty is not voided.

      /Sarcasm
    • nyrol2, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I have put iPod linux on my iPod mini, then later fried it by reassembling a computer with unmarked usb cables that attached to the motherboard. So through the data I got power, and through the power I got data. That made my iPod constantly think it was charging even when unplugged. I brought it in, and they replaced it with no questions asked. Boom. My warranty was just fine.
  • JDelta, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13*****. if only i knew this before my ipod got stolen...at my school!

    :(
    • ApplCmptrDood, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Me too.
    • nphp20, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12I wonder what would happen if you found out your friend at school stole your iPod... Would be kinda awkward to see him/her the next day and accuse them of stealing your *****, and when they ask for proof, you claim your iPod said so itself.
    • rasputinstwin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2i got my one stolen when i left it for like 2 min in canteen, sucked, then i lost another on a cab when i was drunk, probably some cabby bumping to some crazy bangra beats right now, i just picked up a clone from http://www.mp4nation.com, this way i can loose 3 of these clones for the price of 1, haha....i miss my nano :(
  • hiPpymIck, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5BigBrother??
    ill look after you, honest.....
  • hernam19, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9yeah bro, i go to my education building in the ***** part of town, i try to avoid bringing expensive items, such as: wallet, ipod, cellphone, penicil, books...

    ***** might get stolen.
    • Paperthin, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8i hear ya, man all i brought to school was a pair of holey socks, my shirt, my pants, and my pocketknife yo......wtf? o_0
  • bdub92, on 10/12/2007, -3/+21I dont think that firewalls are going to be a problem here, as most people who steal *****, especially ipods at my highschool, are stupid as hell, and wouldn't know the first thing about a "fiery wall".
    • kenwestin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The next version of the agent has a way of getting around the firewall issue.
  • Jiggles1875, on 10/12/2007, -3/+15Well now that I know about this and ever steal something USB, I'll just unplug the ethernet cord....
  • deacon5808, on 10/12/2007, -19/+1i thought the iphone didnt come out yet
    • illspirit, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8Read what the website says, you just might understand something.
  • coheedcollapse, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I don't know how smart it is to pop up that the person who owns it has been warned. I mean if I was a thief and I got that message I'd just trash the thing as quickly as possible. I wish there was a "silent" mode or something.
    • Paperthin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3you could make them hidden, however much that helps...
    • coheedcollapse, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7No I mean when it is activated on a computer it pops up a message like "This item has been reported stolen to the owner and your location as well as other information has been emailed to them."

      I think it would be better if the thief was left without a tipoff that they've been found.
    • ericnmu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Similar to the Mac app, Undercover.
  • hookshotzz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+16this makes me think of buying cheap thumbdrives, and leaving them places. then people think they stumbled across a free thumbdrive, plug it in, and I get all their info.
    • coheedcollapse, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10It's very limited. Nothing too crazy....mainly name of the owner, IP, and location based on IP. It'd be a fun social experiment and a weird way to meet people, but you're not going to get credit card details or anything.
    • capitocapito, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Do that, except with the USB Hacksaw.
    • onemillion, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2that'd be great! sign me up
    • mattfugitive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2@hookshotzz

      That sounds like an interesting experiment, you've inspired me to try it out. I'll deliver my report at the end of March :)
  • hoa801enator, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11Hmm..seems like it could easily gather information from your personal computer without your permission. Is anyone else suspicious?
    • Stirk, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4You would call their ISP, explain the situation, and ask for the name that IP address is assigned to. If they refuse to give it to you (which they probably will), contact the police have them force your little ISP into surrender.

      Edit: This comment is actually directed towards the comment below
    • calvmari, on 10/12/2007, -9/+2This seems really fishy to me too. If the company can trigger the device to phone home, couldn't they perform that at will? Lets say the FBI wants to track you, they have on record that you bought an Ipod, now they can track you using the service.

      No dice, this service infringes on personal security.
    • twistymcgee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7@calvmari

      I think you may want to unplug your network cable if you are that paranoid.
    • d3c0yn4m3l355, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1and the police doesn't give *****. So in the end you spend a lot of time and you still lost your memorystick/ipod. Seriously great idea, but way to limited. Get it to autorun sub7 or something so you can toy with their computer to find out their exact details otherwise its still worth jack.f
  • xcheats, on 10/12/2007, -3/+29So what exactly do you think you're actually going to do once you get the robber's IP?
    • jaromdl, on 10/12/2007, -3/+22Go to their house; knock on their door, and ask for it back.
    • xcheats, on 10/12/2007, -5/+18How are you going to get to someone's house with an IP? Am I the only one who sees how useless this is?
    • MasterChi, on 10/12/2007, -27/+3You are the only one who see's this as useless and you should leave digg.com now or atleast leave the Technology side of Digg for even asking how you would get a home address from an IP. You'll find it a lot more pleasant posting at something on digg at your technical level such as Sports.
    • illspirit, on 10/12/2007, -2/+16No, he's not : obtaining someones home address using an ip address is inaccurate at best.
    • dioxide, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1masterchi, if you have some new esp software that can discern where an ip is being used from, then by all means, share. otherwise, don't talk ***** to someone when you have absolutely no idea wtf you're talking about. knowing someones ip is next to useless, unless you have a friend working the abuse department at a major isp willing to assist you.
    • MasterChi, on 10/12/2007, -6/+8Wow, you two know nothing at all, please leave digg.com technology section because your wasting the time of others (such as myself) on having to explain simple things to you.

      Get IP and then go to police and get a judge to get a court order to the ISP to give you the name and address of the owner of that IP. Go to said user's house with police officers and that is all. If you work for an ISP or know a friend who works at the same ISP that the person who stole your stuff is using then you can avoid the police and meet the guy personally. Please now scurry off to the Celebrity part of digg and spread rumors and talk about Brittney's new hair style or whatever it is you children like to gossip about and leave us adults alone.
    • dioxide, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3you really think the police are going to help you? laugh.

      and you dont need a friend at that particular isp. abuse from one isp, if theyre big enough, can get the info from other isps without much trouble,
    • xcheats, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1No offense but thats definitely going to be a lot harder than you think. If you think that just because you used this site and you have an IP that the judge is going to get the ISP to hand over the address of the individual you are nuts. Besides the fact that this is a lot of work over a stolen USB device. I'd much rather shell out $40 for a new thumbdrive than to go through of all of that.
  • Surge1289, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4What a shame...i recently lost my 60 gb ipod in school...not even a month ago.
    • avihappy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Yea, schools are not the best place to take your fancy gadgets. Might as well walk into skid row waving a few Benjamins around.
    • Syvl, on 10/12/2007, -9/+1Me too, except at a wrestling tournament exactly two weeks ago, with our rival team (which is STATISTICALLY 98% hispanic) sitting right next to us.
  • Busternutz, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1Let me know when it works on a Mac and we know it can be trusted!
    • dioxide, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0you could probably leave a file on the drive in the form a url shortcut, that goes to your personal site, which will record the information. yeh, you're just going to get the ip and os using this method, but that's just about all you're going to get anyway, except perhaps the user name of the person logged into windows (could possibly be very helpful, that)

      you can name it 'my passwords' or something along those lines.
  • neutrascrub, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3good thing the ipod i stole didn't have this on it...
    actually i found it, but how would the program know that?
    what if i bought it from someone?
    • compwizz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9It wouldn't matter if you sold it to someone because you have to report the device stolen, if you sold it, you aren't going to be reporting it as stolen.
    • secretivecoward, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9It's still stealing...

      They may have lost it, you just never took the time to report a lost item. With this new free service, you can return the lost item, and get your reward, and maybe EARN an ipod.
  • supersonicdarky, on 10/12/2007, -6/+6doesnt really work if you:

    -have a firewall
    -have disabled autorun
    -don't use my computer

    therefore i'm still eligible to steal usb devices
    • samoht625, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10but what does it cost you if it does work? 100k of space on your 30gb ipod?
    • nbx909, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3or use linux or OS X
    • adml_shake, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Yeah but how many thieves are going to have/do any of that? I'd say the odds are in your favor.
    • MeltedUFO, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1(most) Theives don't use OS X or Linux or know what autorun is.

      And what are you gonna do with a Usb device if you don't use your computer?
    • karamba_kid, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6The odds of never seeing your iPod again are in your favor. Because thieves steal wifi.
  • screamthenrun, on 10/12/2007, -5/+5hmmm.... wonder what happens if u put it into a linux machine runnin Wine??
  • DJBONEZ, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0Wow there are already things like this out but I still like the idea...so yea!
  • ross., on 10/12/2007, -1/+12Good depiction of an iPod being stolen too...cus every thief I've ever dealt with was wearing leather gloves.
    • MeltedUFO, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1if they robbed your house without wearing gloves, they are pretty stupid.

      Oh wait I forgot that theives are stupid.
  • Eric4, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3There should be an open source version that connects to a server on your connection. Then I would feel safer knowing it's not phoning home to a location I have no control of.
  • DroogInPhoenix, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15I wish I knew of this 5 days ago... I was robbed, a week later they came to burglarize, lost a 37" HDTV, Xbox360, drivers license, social security number, Nikon d50 and lenses, bosses 2 credit cards, lots of cash and an 80gig video ipod... Around $6000 total. :(
    • cyborg, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13omg, but they forgot your computer?
    • offspring06, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Ouch, that sucks ass.
    • hakz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6jesus man, sorry to hear that.
    • mwsource, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I think credit cards already phone home.
    • DroogInPhoenix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4 The computer was downstairs, I think when I pulled up in my parking space they ran out (assigned parking spot, someone was watching while they were robbing)... I saw them, but it didnt dawn on me what happened till I saw my broken in door, by then too late, and of course cops cant do anything... but learned a valuable lesson... get serial numbers for all your electronic items. (I didnt, now I will)
    • cultofmetatron, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1I know your pain, I lost an ounce of unmentionable substace, a D70 and 2 nikkor lenses to sone sumbag

      god I miss that camera....
  • terranaut, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3Better still, why not create a virus for which your computers are completely immune, install it onto your USB devices.

    Then when it is stolen and plugged into anothers computer, it completely reformats it.

    Someone throw me a ladder.
    • adml_shake, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7"Hey man can you copy those files to my flash drive real quick?"
      "Sure no prob, toss it over there"
      *inserts drive into USB port*
      "Dude what the *****?! Whats happening to my computer?!!!"

      Thats why, the idea behind those things is moving files. If you can only plug it into your computer, then whats the point of having one?
    • MeltedUFO, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I think it would be cool if something like that happened only after you reported it stolen. Now THAT I would use.
  • hakz, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3anyone know if and how this would work on a creative zen vision m?
    • karamba_kid, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7Well not sure about your mp3 player. I do know that this doesn't work on the Zune due to lack of criminals wanting to steal such a POS.
    • Stirk, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Most likely
    • netcrusher88, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2No, it wouldn't work on your creative Zen because frankly, it doesn't work. I can give you all kinds of technical reasons, but it comes down to this - don't download this *****. If you're lucky it's useless. It's probably a virus. Have fun.
  • h4mx0r, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Some homebrew on the scene made a program similar to this for the PSP a few months ago.

    The only thing we wondered was if getting the location of the thief could really help in the big picture. Would law enforcement really go help?
  • bobyoco, on 10/12/2007, -6/+0Stealing Guide:
    -unplug you internet
    -format
    -sell
    • kenwestin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7I am sure the crackheads are taking notes.
  • onemillion, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3unless the theives know this website...
    • ab2650, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Dear Kevin,
      Please add a "Thievery" section.
      Love,
      The Criminals.
  • xptweakerntn, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1great idea, but i would rather it be through apple or something, i mean, how hard would it be for them to set something like this up. they could integrate it into itunes, that way, you don't even have to install anything on the ipod, just have it check seriall numbers against apples database, to see if it's stolen. of course, that would be well known, so people would just make sure they weren't online. maybe itunes could keep it in a file, and check later when it was online or something. of course they would try to charge us for it, but i was just thinking for all we know (ok, maybe not in that small a file), but there could be a keylogger or anything in that thing.
  • Hayes, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Just signed up. So why does it NEED my phone number?
    • kenwestin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Why do you feel you need to put your real phone number in?
    • netcrusher88, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4More information on you to sell. Duh.
    • crispytown, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Probably so they can call you when it is found... Just a guess
  • Dmatias, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Has anyone tested this. I put it on a flash drive and reported it as missing then plugged it into my computer opened it from "My Computer" and even clicked on the GT.exe file and nothing have worked still no message sent to my email. Possible my firewall?
    • Syvl, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3Digg effect. Server's busy.
    • sekhui, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4you have to steal it from yourself before it will work.
  • Prysorra, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7What's to stop a thief from implementing this feature himself?

    Great, someone stole your iPod and now has something to claim it's actually his.
  • Zaxcomp, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3if my iPod was stolen I'd become an hero...
  • TrippleHead, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10I definitly want it to install a virus right after it phones home. Which according to the rest of these comments would be perfectly legal because it's YOUR ipod, and you were the one that wanted to put the virus on it.
  • fuzzmeister, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1They should work with LoJack to use the LoJack brand, just as Computrace has with LoJack for Laptops.
  • netcrusher88, on 10/12/2007, -7/+4This won't work. Period. An IP address is not necessarily useful information. Besides, any firewall will block it, it will soon be flagged by all virus-scan software (looks like a virus to me) and it only works on Windows - IF IT WORKS THEN. I've tried this - putting the proper auto-exec data on a thumb drive. It doesn't work unless you mess with the partitions on the thumb drive in just the right way, which is beyond the ability of your average user. Therefore, DO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS. At best, it's a worthless load of crap. Middle, it's spyware, and the company will sell your habits - where you use the iPod, whatever (I bet RIAA would pay good money to find out who's been using an iPod with more than one computer). Worst case, and I strongly suspect this, it's a front for a virus.

    Again, and I cannot stress this enough, DO NOT TOUCH THIS SOFTWARE. If you're LUCKY it's just worthless. If you're not, it's a virus.
  • Zacharute, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4Bad idea... Just another way for the government to violate our privacy. Just like Onstar.
    • twistymcgee, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5How is this another way for the government to violate your privacy? As far as I can tell the government has nothing to do with it.

      Paranoid much?
  • Aksumka, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3To bad if the thief is running Linux. Your SOL there.
    • coheedcollapse, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3If someone's smart enough to figure out Linux, they're smart enough to know that stealing other people's techy ***** is totally unacceptable.
  • twistymcgee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I think this site should also offer a sticker for your device to say something like:

    "This device is protected by Gadget Theft, it will notify the owner of its location if stolen."

    That alone would probably prevent the theft in the first place.

    I think that the idea is great and will likely be pretty effective. Judging by the "How does it work?" diagram thieves are so excited to use their newly stolen device that they don't even have time to take off their mask and are more likely to not consider what's on the device.
  • netcrusher88, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2Every single comment here criticizing this "Gadget Theft" website for looking like spyware or a virus has been buried. I don't know about anyone else, but this is starting to worry me.
    • kenwestin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Maybe you are just paranoid. Course that doesn't mean they aren't tracking your devices.
  • Kamz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1that's great!
  • killervibe, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1You people are such cynics. lol
  • xXAzraelXx, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Things like this need to happen, though we must be really careful with the products we chose, I like the idea, I just had a computer, phone and bunch of other business stolen... So I could just be easily scaremongored, who knows lol.
    Maybe this service should be included directly through hardware enabled software, as an option enabled at start up/purchase right from the companies, with ultra simple privacy policies as example: "we only work when you tell us to, and only do as you say, i.e tell you or report to police or both, not responsible for your actions or those of police/agency involved or jurisdictional corruption/abuse that ensues".
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